A salt-free, zero-discharge and dyebath-recyclable circular coloration technology based on cationic polyelectrolyte complex for cotton fabric dyeing

Textile industry is one of the most polluting industries due to large quantities dyeing wastewater it generates and discharges. Herein, we report an eco-friendly sustainable circular coloration technology based on cationic polyelectrolyte complex realise salt-free, zero-effluent-discharge for cotton fabrics with a recyclable dyebath by using typical polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) bonded anionic dyes. The were first treated PHMB then dyed three commercial acid Colour measurements show that colour strength controllable adjustment concentrations both dyebath. fabric samples found have good/excellent levelness (<0.49), fastness (Grade 3–5) was basically satisfactory acceptable. proved be occurring at room temperature, which greatly reduces consumption water heat energy textile dyeing. Meanwhile, showed antimicrobial activity, particularly gram-positive S. aureus, may help reduce healthcare-associated infections transmit through textiles. These results suggest polyelectrolyte-based could provide promising practicable strategy address pollution issue caused generated in process industry.